Computer Training Service
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DISKETTES
Handling diskettes
 | Hold diskettes by plastic edges, avoid touching the metal parts. |
| Do not place diskettes near anything magnetic (including telephones, speakers etc) |
| Do not leave diskettes where they might get hot (don’t set on heat registers, car dash etc). |
| Make sure that label does not touch the metal sliding gate (most labels wrap around onto the back side) |
Buying diskettes
| Buy name brand diskettes, such as 3M, Verbatim, Maxell, Sony |
| It’s unnecessary to buy formatted diskettes, since you should format before use. |
How to format a diskette
Before you use a diskette for the first time you need to "format" it. Formatting prepares the diskette to receive information, erases any and all prior information stored on the diskette, and marks out any bad sectors on the diskette.
1) Insert the diskette into the A drive in your computer. The diskette will only go in one way, and you will feel/hear a click when it is fully inserted.
2) Double click on MY COMPUTER icon on your desktop.
3) In the window that is now open (says My Computer in the title bar) Right Click on the icon that says 3 1/2 Floppy (A:) and select Format on the menu that drops down.
4) A window will now be open that says Format-3 1/2 Floppy (A:) in the title bar. It should have the following items selected:
Capacity 1.44 Mb (3.5")
Format type Full
Other options Display summary when finished should be checked
5) Click Start.
6) When process is complete, a box will pop up that will say Format Results - 3 1/2 Floppy (A:). Look to make sure that the third line says 0 bytes in bad sectors. If there is a number of bad sectors (other than zero) we suggest not using the diskette for any important information.
7) Click Close.
8) You will now be back at the format window. If you want to format another diskette, you can remove your first diskette, insert the second one and click Start. If you do not want to format another diskette, click close.
Other tips
Never eject a diskette from the diskette drive when the light for the diskette drive is on, or when you can hear the drive making noise. Removing a diskette while the computer is still trying to use it can damage your diskette drive.
If you put a blank label on the diskette immediately after you format it, you will always know which diskettes have been formatted, and which ones still need to be formatted.
There are two windows or holes at the bottom of the diskette. One hole has a small sliding tab that can be used to open and close the hole. If both holes are open (you can see through them) the disk is "write protected". Write protected means that your computer will be able to read the information on the diskette, but will not be able to write (or save) any additional information onto the diskette. To save information onto the diskette this hole must be closed.